What to Do in Chicago This Week: September 2–8

This week in Chicago, celebrate Labor Day with a tub of rosé, enjoy comedy with a side of s’mores, marvel at a new Tiffany stained-glass show, and take the family to a circus in the park.

Photo by Sarah Larson/Courtesy of Parlour Car

September 2: Celebrate Labor Day at Etta
What better way to punctuate another summer season than with a bottomless tub of rosé? Bucktown’s red-hot Etta is throwing the Labor Day party of the year, with endless pink wine and hearty dishes like wood-fired pizzas, pastas, dry-aged rib eyes, and the popular people pleaser known as the “pig picnic.” The event is casual and first come, first served, so hurry in. Details: Noon—Matt Kirouac

September 5: Horse Girls
This play scares me to death and I am so excited about it. The Lady Jean Ladies is South Florida’s most exclusive horse club and it is led by a 12-year-old girl. Something sinister threatens the stables and stability of this club, and its members go into crisis mode. Are you not frightened? Details: Through September 22 at Greenhouse Theater Center—Tanuja Jagernauth

September 5–October 10: Parlour Car Autumn Patio Series at Sportsman’s Club
Now back for its third annual run, the Parlour Car team brings a six-week series of shows to the enchanting back patio of Sportsman’s Club. The lineups showcase the best comics from Chicago and beyond, and the shows often feature bigger name drop-ins (past years have seen Hannibal Buress and Neal Brennan, to name a couple). Also, the patio is dog-friendly and has a roaring fireplace, and there are free s’mores after the show. Details: 8:30 p.m.; free—Matty Ryan

Ginger Krebs, Restless Leg, 2019. Courtesy of Bert Green Fine Art

September 6: “Restless Leg” at Bert Green Fine Art
Although fleshy, grimy, and grotesque, the small sculptures by Ginger Krebs are difficult to peel your eyes away from. Each is a spoof of a real-world material—like salami or hair—reminders of the waste we create and the ubiquity of it all.—Claire Voon

September 6–8: Chicago German-American Oktoberfest
As we all remember (or probably not if you were actually there) from Maifest, Lincoln Square is Chicago’s destination for German celebrations. Oktoberfest starts the party back up again in those giant tents with family-friendly activities, music, and all that delicious German food and beer. Don’t miss the parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday.—Jim Morris

September 7: Kveik Fest at District Brew Yards
Kveik yeast has been the buzz of the brewing industry of late for its ability to ferment a variety of beer styles at higher temperature ranges in less time. Brewers love to quickly turn over their fermenter space and utilize this versatile yeast strain that recently became available in the States but has a centuries-old history in Norway as a farmhouse strain passed down by generations of brewers. Omega Yeast is a prominent Chicago-based company producing pitch-ready yeast strains for U.S. brewers and is a fellow organizer of Kveik Fest with Burnt City. Sample beers from more than 30 breweries from around the nation and learn about the wonders of Kveik from Lars Marius Garshol, who helped introduce Kveik to the U.S. through his blog, Larsblog. Details: 1–5 p.m.; $75—Jim Morris

Through September 8: You Can’t Take the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music)
According to Hedy Weiss, this show “will take you higher, set you on fire, and infuse you with a Superfly energy.” Can you really turn that down? This fast-paced performance guides audiences through the timeline of Chicago funk—the highs as well as the lows. Details: At Black Ensemble Theatre—Tanuja Jagernauth

Through fall: Midnight Circus in the Park
One of our favorite events of the summer and fall, this awesome circus sets up in parks across Chicago, where kids (and parents!) can cozy up under the big top and watch acrobatics, magic, and performance art. Proceeds go to help the Chicago Park District, so it’s a win-win all around. Details: Tours at parks across Chicago; $5—Samantha Lande

September 8: Band of Bohemia’s 3rd Annual Caravan Art Festival
One of the most unique restaurant events of the season, Band of Bohemia’s annual Caravan Art Festival feels part carnival, part brewpub, as the parking lot next to the restaurant fills with artsy tents, jazz, hot dogs, and brats. Peruse the vendors outside before heading indoors for brunch or dinner. Details: 2 p.m.; $5 suggested donation—Matt Kirouac

Photo by Galdones Photography/Courtesy of Roebuck

Restaurant Opening of the Week: Roebuck
Considering DryHop Brewers is one of my favorite places ever (we served its beer at my wedding), I’m very excited for its next concept: a pizza-centric Lakeview spot called Roebuck. Due September 6, this convivial and welcoming eatery features a range of neo-Neapolitan pizzas (I’m intrigued) along with lagers and cocktails aplenty. What’s not to love!—Matt Kirouac